3.923 Axel Ratio and 33" Tires

[depark]

I'm ordering a 2021 Sprinter 2500 Cargo 4x4 and unfortunately in Canada you can't get the 4.182. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with 3.982 and 33" tires? How did it work for driving in the mountains? I live in British Columbia and it's ALL mountains.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Darryl

 

[RVBarry]

You can always downshift, unless you're already in first.
I.e. It only matters at low speeds.

 

[Mr. Bills]

If you change from 245/75R16 to "metric 33's" such as a 285/75R16 you will increase tire diameter 7.5%, which effectively renders your 3.982 axle ratios a much taller 3.685.

This will impact weight carrying capacity, tow capacity, acceleration in traffic, etc., not to mention incorrect speedometer, odometer, and speed inputs into the ECU.

I run LT265/75R16 ("metric 32's) with a correction factor of 3.6% that reduce the effective axle ratio of my 2500 from 3.982 to 3.84. My Sprinter runs right at GVWR fully loaded with fuel, water, gear and people. I recently returned from a trip that required me to cross California's I-5 Grapevine grade twice, also Mexico's La Rumorosa Grade. It handled the grades quite well, but I think it would have been a dog in the mountains on 33's.

 

[depark]

Ya that's my fear. My current 4x4 E250 has 4.10's with 33's and the 5.4 and doesn't like big hills. No problem climbing them just have to slow down to about 50-55 mph.

I plan on adding a Pedal Box and the Rentech tuner. That should help.

 

[Mr. Bills]

I have a Pedal Box. I still don't think I'd like 33's in the hills with 3.982 gears and loaded to GVWR.

Is the additional 1/2" in ground clearance going from 32's to 33's necessary for your uses?

 

[depark]

I already have the tires. I purchased them last summer. They are on my current rig and am going to swap them to the Sprinter. Do I need the extra clearance, probably not. Do I want to buy new tires definitely not.

Just trying to figure out what to do.

I wonder how much of a headache it would be to swap to 4.182's after I get the van.

 

[RVBarry]

I wonder how much of a headache it would be to swap to 4.182's after I get the van.

Very big.

The gears aren't going to make much difference at speed.

 

[RVBarry]

BTW, are you getting Distronic?

 

[depark]

No I am not getting Distronic.

 

[marc1]

I run 255/85/16 with NO issues in the mountains or hills. I also use my rig harder off-road then most and have had zero issues with lack of power. In the past I have run ... 245/75/16, 235/85/16, 265/75/16 and 255/85/16. I like the looks of the 255/85/16 but next time around will go back to the 235/85/16. Tall Skinnies always work the best for me.

 

[depark]

Thanks Everyone. My dealer went so far as to call the factory to see if anything could be done. Short answer, NO. In Canada you can only get 3.923 on any 2500 4x4. So I'm going top have to accept it.

I guess if it becomes a real issue I can get smaller tires. I'll try the try the van both with the factory tires and my 33's. We'll see where it all lands.
Cheers

 

[Wrinkledpants]

I'm ordering a 2021 Sprinter 2500 Cargo 4x4 and unfortunately in Canada you can't get the 4.182. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with 3.982 and 33" tires? How did it work for driving in the mountains? I live in British Columbia and it's ALL mountains.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Darryl

255/85/16 ST Maxx tires on our 2017 4x4 (5-speed trans) and at 8K lbs, we can keep up with traffic through about 12K ft. As the VS30 has a few more gears, you should not have any issues with power.